The latest cover of the Hollywood Reporter shows all seven of the major film studio chiefs, which Ava DuVernay had something to say about.
Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos is shown, as is Warner Bros.’ Toby Emmerich, Sony’s Tom Rothman, Universal’s Donna Langley, Amazon’s Jennifer Salke, Netflix’s Scott Stuber and Disney’s Alan Horn.
In the actual article, the studio chiefs discuss a myriad of topics, including violence in the movies, what makes a film bad, how important the role of a movie star is and the challenges of working in an industry that’s seen better days. Because it seems that people just don’t go to the movies like they used to.
DuVernay made a comment about the cover in a tweet sent on Wednesday, and the director said she’s worked or spoken with everyone on it, and they’re all fine people, but she wants to see more representation.
“Studio chiefs of Disney, Netflix, Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal, Amazon + Paramount. Currently working with, have worked with or interacted with them all,” wrote the director. “Solid people. I hope some folks of color join their ranks soon.”
DuVernay’s followers then left comments about her tweet.
“Very classy response,” one person wrote.
And one person believes DuVernay could be a studio head herself and add some diversity.
“You. You will (if your heart desires),” that person wrote.
Another person said while he would also like to see more people of color running a film studio, Universal’s Donna Langley is of Egyptian descent and considers that a start.
Others said Tyler Perry should’ve been on the cover, since he recently opened his own film studio in Atlanta and he’s the first black person to do so. But another person disagreed with that reasoning and said his studio isn’t considered one of the majors just yet.
And someone else said he was glad the magazine cover was released, because it shows Hollywood’s lack of diversity from the top down.
“I think it’s great they took the pic as it shines a light on the system that produced the inequality,” that person tweeted.
